Parlando e sparlando

Catherine Keener (as Amelia) spends the opening scenes putting down everyone in her life. She doesn't like best friend Anne Heche (as Laura)'s engagement ring. She calls video store geek Kevin Corrigan (as Bill), who wants to date her, "The Ugly Guy". She repeatedly calls ex-boyfriend-turned-friend Liev Schreiber (as Andrew) an ass----, for enjoying telephone sex. Her cat has cancer. And, her kitchen sponge stinks.

Intriguing character study, from writer/director Nicole Holofcener. Ms. Keener's "Amelia" seems to have a lot going for her; she is funny and attractive, and, she manages to keep friendships while being excessively judgmental. Things may have started going wrong for her when roommate Heche moved in with boyfriend Todd Field (as Frank). Mr. Field becomes another supportive friend, however. Although Keener is cranky throughout, she eventually proves to be an interesting, supportive friend.

The performances are all terrific. Mr. Corrigan may be most memorable, as the horror movie geek Keener labels "The Ugly Guy"; watch for an outstanding scene as he overhears a message on Keener telephone answering machine. Some back-hair might have helped him look more ugly, though. Then, again, hairier Rafael Alvarez does seem prove excessive hair isn't so ugly. Wonderfully ironic to see Randall Batinkoff (as Peter) play a waiter so well, and an actor so poorly. "Walking and Talking" manages to be a story about meaningful friendship without being terribly meaningful.

****** Walking and Talking (1996) Nicole Holofcener ~ Catherine Keener, Anne Heche, Kevin Corrigan

Nicole Holofcener has a distinct eye for everyday events. 'Walking and Talking' is the first slice of life film from the same director who's made gems like 'Friends With Money', 'Lovely and Amazing' and 'Please Give'. All films mainly focus on the relationships of women. The center of 'Walking and Talking' is the friendship between Amelia and Laura. Holofcener and her actors Catherine Keener (a regular in the director's films) and Anne Heche do a superb job in depicting a friendship that is not always about hanging out and partying.

What Holofcener portrays is a bond that has changed throughout the years for these two women but become stronger than before. They are open to each other, honest, judgmental without worrying about hurting each other. Feelings do get hurt but at the same time it is this honesty that is the strength of their relationship and what gets them through the tougher times.

The director has cast Catherine Keener in all her feature films and has done so in distinct roles. In all these films, Keener's character is searching for satisfaction whether it's in marriage, friendship, human nature. The characters, though similar in many ways, also have distinct qualities especially in the way they cope with their problems and the people surrounding them.

Of course, needless to say, Keener fits all roles to the T, turning in some of her best works. Anne Heche definitely holds her own. Liev Schreiber is adequate. Kevin Corrigan is great. Todd Field does a fine job too.

On the technical side, it's nothing too flashy. Everything flows smoothly. The score gives it the right level of whimsical touch. The locations are beautiful yet simple.

In the end, 'Walking and Talking' is a universal human story about friendship. Holofcener did a terrific job telling such a story in her first film and she has continued to do so in her following features.

Some relationships between childhood friends endure the passage of time, as it's the case with Laura and Amelia, who as the film opens are seen as young girls. After some years they have met again as adults and their friendship has a different kind of meaning to both, if anything it is stronger than before. Whereas Amelia has found love and is graduating for a professional career as a therapist, Laura, on the oder hand, has found a job in a newspaper, but her love life leaves a lot to be desired.

Nicole Holofcener, the director, takes us to meet these two women as they go through their lives in present day Manhattan. Having seen this film when it made its commercial debut, we decided to take another look after almost ten years of being released and we can report the film is still fresh and quirky as when we first saw it. The director, whose "Lovely and Amazing" was also a worthy successor, treats her subjects with a light touch and the result is a film that gives the viewer a good insight about human relations in a cinematic form.

The best thing going for the film is lovely Catherine Keener, who is an asset no matter what she is playing. Ms. Keener seems to be a natural for the movies. The camera loves this actress who has a style of her own and who, in comedies such as this, makes perfect sense as her directors clearly capitalize on her uncanny sense of how to play the quirky characters in which she has excelled.

Anne Heche, on the other hand, makes a perfect Amelia come true. Ms. Heche is a good actress that always brings something to the roles she plays. Amelia, the young woman in this film, is at a point in her life where she has to make decisions about her relationship with Frank, who clearly adores her, and her own career as a therapist.

The supporting roles are basically the men in the two friends' lives. There is Frank, who is living with Amelia. He wants her to commit and marry him, but she has doubts before she says yes. Todd Field makes a good impression as Frank. Bill, the video store clerk likes Laura, but feels betrayed when he hears a message Amelia has left on the answering machine where she calls him ugly; he takes offense and decides to drop Laura. Kevin Corrigan is perfect playing this man. Finally there is Andrew, an old flame of Laura's who has broken up with her some time ago, but has remained friends. Liev Schreiber is good in this part.

"Walking and Talking" shows a talented Nicole Holofcener at her best. The film shows us a director who knows a lot about the complicated balance of the relationship between two caring friends.

"Walking and Talking" is a slice of life flick which focuses on two thirtyish female best friends (Heche & Keener). A dialogue-intensive plotless situational relationship light comedy, "W&T" offers good performances, a lively script, and a variety of situations with which thirtyish guys and gals will be able to identify. An enjoyable way to wile away 1.5 hours.

While an observation of New York neuroses hardly breaks new ground, the characters as drawn by writer/director Nicole Holofcener are interesting enough to keep us engrossed in this charming, sometimes moving comedy.

A New York drama critic faulted Catherine Keener in a stage performance for not acting, but for being just herself. Keener is perhaps not the most versatile performer, but she's always compelling on screen and even just "being herself" is more than enough.

Holofcener has a way with actors coaxing credible and funny performances from all. It's a very talky affair with not enough meat on it to make a lasting impression. But her talent is crystal clear. She's way above most other independent directors with an assured feel for dialog and formidable directing skills.